The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-01-20
Fort Defiance Items.


Messrs. Stuart Watson and Edward
johnson. of the party of Mt. Sidney boys
who went to Florida since the holidays,
returned home on Thursday last, after a
sojourn Of only five or six days in the land
of flowers They report business not near
so brisk there as they had been led to be-
lieve, and every department of labor over
run with applicants for work. Patrick
Flaqin, who is first.class timer, could
obtain a job at fair wages. Henry Shu-
mate, who has had some experience in
railroading, determined to stay a while
longer, but from what Stuart and Ed. say
we look for him back shortly. Boys, you
may go where you will, but you will find
our own beautiful Valley the best place af-
ter all. Stay here and help us throttle
Bourbonism and Free .tradeism, and ere
long you will see your native heath bios
soming as tie rose, and you will be waltz
ing to the musical hum of the machinery
of the hundreds Of manufacturing estab
lishments which will soon enliven our val
ley from centre to circumference.
VIM. McCue, Esq.,. has bought Mr.. w.
F. Sherman's property at this place, now
occupied by our popular depot agent and
Merchant, Mr.. 9. G. Thompson. and will
take possession early In the spring. Mr..
Thompson has bought lot from Mr.. VIM
Beard, and will erect dwelling upon it
at once.
Prof. Chas. S. Roller, of the Augusta
Male Academy, came near losing Ills house
by Ere on last Sunday evening. One of the
students left a fire burning in his room,
and by some means the wall near the stove
was ignited. Fortunately it was discov-
cred in time to save the building, but not
before considerable damage was done to
the ROOM. Loss covered by insurance.
Mrs. Louisa Wanfossen, very old wo-
man, died at her home in Verona on 18th
inst. Deceased had lived in Verona for
many years, was member of the Augusta
Church, and though in humble circunl-
stances, was very much respected by all
who knew Der. she leaves several sons
and we believe a daughter. The remains
were inferred in the cemetery Oh DIR. Eich-
elberger's farm, near by, Rev. Mr.. Bitter
conducting the funeral services.
Mr.. Dallas Richie has commenced NOV
ing to the splendid farm just east Of Will
low Spout, which he recently bought of
Mr.. Henry Smith. Mr.. Richie is one of
the best and most successful farmers of
our neighborhood.
We recently paid visit to our friend,
James W. Meade. Esq, near Hermitage,
and were shown by Mrs. Weade the most
elegant knit counterpart we eyer.saw. It
is Mrs. w S. own handiwork, is very large
and heavy, and speaks volumes for her pa
tience and industry. She should certainly
place it upon exhibition at the next dis
trct fair. Mrs. Weade also showed US a
medal which she found several years ago
in her yard, while living in the old Gen
Robt. Porterield mansion house .on South
River. The trinket bears no date upon
it's face, but has upon side the inscription
The sober, second thoughts of the people
are o. *. y around the likeness of probably
Andrew jackson or Martin VanBnren,
and on the other side an eagle above mo
ney safe. bearing scroll. On which are the
words Justice, Equality and around
these the inscription 1.-THE independent
sub-treasury. The choice of the people. =
These Inscriptions Indicate that the medal
was struck in the latter part of Van Blu
rem S administration. probably during the
presidential canvass Of 1910, and bears the
battle cry Of the old Jacksonian Democra-
cy; and also that Gen. Porterfeld was
probably one Of ''Old Hickory So few fol
lowers in Augusta, and carried his shibbo-
-leth about engrayen on enduring brass.
We like to come across such souvenirs
of the past they cause US to think over
the history of our country and contemplate
with patriotic pride the vast strides our
nation has made as well in political as in
material advancement. Looking back at
the progress of the last forty years, it is
not strange that one should wonder at the
grand possibilities of the future. Mr..
Weade has recently discovered on his farm
very strong indications of a rich deposit of
manganese. lie showed us some speci-
mems taken from near the surface, which
experienced minearologists have pronounc-
ed first class ore, and he is making arrange
ments with competent parties to thorough
ly prospect the premises. Wehope he will
find millions in it, S. M. W.
Midd1phPOplx. Tfams